[ Daily Tolkien ] A Tolkien Virgin: Of the Return of the Noldor

Tolkien Online ^ | December 21, 1999 | Mark-Edmond

[JameRetief]

A Tolkien Virgin: Of the Return of the Noldor
by Mark-Edmond

The Journey Continues

So much happens in this chapter that I can't comment on all of it. But, if I had to choose one thing that sticks with me the most from this chapter, it is Fingon's rescue of Maedhros from Thangorodrim. It's such a beautiful story. I actually got a little misty eyed when Manwe more than answered the prayer of Fingon--saving the life of Maedhros by sending Thorondor to Fingon's aid. It's heart rending (in a good way) to know that Manwe had not given up on the Noldor entirely. It's a story of mercy which touches me deeply.

You know, it's these brief, more personal stories of Tolkien's that I enjoy most. This leads me to believe that I will very much enjoy Tolkien's other books that I suspect will be written more in this style. For, as much as I'm eager to learn what happens next in this epic history, Tolkien is blatant about the fact that Morgoth succeeds in reeking all out disaster upon Belariand in his foreshadowing. So, as addicted to the Silmarillion as I am, knowing (what I believe to be ) the end of the story is a significant detraction from my enjoyment of the book as a whole.

Two things to pick on: I was incredibly surprised that Fingolfin and his people who had to traverse the Helcaraxe were so ready to forgive Faenor's sons and their people for abandoning them. True, Fingon's feat was amazing, but that doesn't really right the wrong. If Maethros had rescued Fingon, one of the offenders saving the life of one of the wronged, it would make more sense. How does the rescue of Maethros bring the two factions together so neatly? I know there's some troublesome sediment beneath the surface, but still, a lot of people suffered and died in the crossing of the Helcaraxe. The second thing to pick on: I'm a bit unsatisfied by Glaurung's sudden appearance. Knowing that Morgoth couldn't create dragons from nothing, I can't help but wonder what Morgoth perverted to "make" him.

That's all for now.

Author: Mark-Edmond
Published on: December 21, 1999

The next Tolkien Virgin article covers: The Silmarillion: Of Beleriand and its Realms

[JameRetief]

The Daily Tolkien articles by various authors	The Tolkien Virgin articles by Mark-Edmond
ARTICLES 01-10
ARTICLES 11-20
ARTICLES 21-30	ARTICLES 01-10
ARTICLES 31-40	11) Of the Sindar
41) Love in the Trees	12) Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
42) The Philosophical Etymology Of Hobbit	13) Of Men
43) Exploring Tolkien's Fourth Age
44) Origin and History of the Ents
45) It's all in the family: The Elweans and Ingweans
46) It's all in the family: The Finweans
47) Of the Return of the Noldor

[JameRetief]

Your Tolkien Virgin Ping!

Read along with a Tolkien Virgin as he discovers and comments on the history of Middle Earth as he reads it for the first time.  These articles start with The Silmarillion, journeys through The Hobbit, and finishes with the epic Lord Of The Rings.  At the pace of 2 articles per week (Mondays and Fridays) the articles will wrap up about the same time that the final movie of the Lord Of The Rings story is released. 

If anyone would like for me to ping them directly when I post the Tolkien Virgin articles or my Daily Tolkien articles let me know. I hope that you enjoy them!

[ksen]

It's heart rending (in a good way) to know that Manwe had not given up on the Noldor entirely. It's a story of mercy which touches me deeply.
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I was incredibly surprised that Fingolfin and his people who had to traverse the Helcaraxe were so ready to forgive Faenor's sons and their people for abandoning them. True, Fingon's feat was amazing, but that doesn't really right the wrong.

It's kind of funny that he approves of the forgiveness given to the Noldor by Manwe, but doesn't seem to approve of the forgiveness shown by Fingolfin, et. al., to Faenor, et. al.

Anyway, thanks for the article today Jame.

[ksen]

Knowing that Morgoth couldn't create dragons from nothing, I can't help but wonder what Morgoth perverted to "make" him.

[ksen]

Wait......I guess that wouldn't be a perversion. ;^)

[ecurbh]

Ring Ping!!

[300winmag]

You've just slandered all of Tolkien's monsters and fell beasts.

[ksen]

You've just slandered all of Tolkien's monsters and fell beasts.

Heh, should I ask the AM to remove that post?